Association Bylaws
FINAL ADOPTED By-laws for the IWP Alumni Association ___________________
Revision Date/Version: 02/13/2008
Article I. Name
The name of the organization is the Institute of World Politics Alumni Association (the Association.)
Article II. Purpose & Mission
The Association is an independent, not for profit, self-governed membership organization with the following Mission Statement:
Revision Date/Version: 02/13/2008
Article I. Name
The name of the organization is the Institute of World Politics Alumni Association (the Association.)
Article II. Purpose & Mission
The Association is an independent, not for profit, self-governed membership organization with the following Mission Statement:
The Institute of World Politics Alumni Association exists to foster an ongoing connection between the Institute and its graduates while advancing the school's core values and strategic objectives.The Association initiates and sponsors activities that serve the IWP community, promotes lifelong learning and binds alumni together in support of each other and our shared ideals We strive to uphold civic virtue and moral leadership, and provide our advice and perspective to the Institute.
Article III. Membership
a. The organization shall consist of two categories of membership: General Membership and Associate Membership. The two categories shall be equal in all respects except voting and service on the Association's Board.
b. Any person who has received a Master of Arts degree or a Certificate of Graduate Studies from the Institute of World Politics shall be eligible for General Membership. Only General Members may vote in elections or serve as an officer of the Association, except as discussed in section c. below.
c. Any parent of an IWP student, any person who has successfully completed an academic course at IWP, or any person who supports the school and the Association's mission may become an Associate Member of the Association. No more than one Associate Member may serve on the Board of the Association at any time, and only then by the unanimous consent of the Board.
This exception is envisioned to permit the service of an ex-officio member of the Association's Board who may be drawn from the faculty or distinguished students of the school who have not completed the M.A. degree or certificate. An ex-officio member of the board shall serve in addition to the officers specified in Article IV below.
Article IV. Governance
a. The Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of at least four and no more than eight elected members and officers, plus the immediate past-president or president pro-tempore of the Association who shall serve on the Board for one year immediately following his or her term as president. All elected officers, at-large board members, and the immediate past-president shall comprise the Board of Directors of the Association. All officers except the president may serve on the Board for multiple terms if duly elected. After serving as president and subsequently as past-president on the Board, that individual may run for election to any seat on the Board.
b. The Board shall consist of the following officers who shall be elected by the membership for a term of one year in office: president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, and between one and three at-large members.
c. The Board may designate the following chairs whose duties are listed below from among the at-large members of the Board or the General Membership:
The Programming Chair shall:
- organize and lead social, networking, and related events
The Professional Education Chair shall:
- organize and lead special events such as lectures, seminars, and symposia designed to enhance member's professional knowledge and exposure to relevant topics in Statecraft or National Security Affairs.
The Professional Development/Recruiting Chair shall:
- organize the association's participation in and support to IWP recruiting efforts, student matriculation, and support of the currently enrolled student body.
- organize events, in cooperation with the Programming Chair, to support alumni professional networking opportunities and related activities
d. Each Chair may appoint additional members to assist the Chair in the planning and conduct of activities relevant to the Chair's position. Additionally, the Board may create ad hoc committees led by a Board Member or General Member of the Board's choosing to carry out such projects as the Board may deem necessary.
The Board shall determine nomination procedures and publish those procedures to the membership in advance of the Annual Election Meeting.
e. Duties of Board Members:
The President shall:
- serve as primary liaison between the association and the Institute, shall chair meetings of the Board, and shall exercise the customary duties and responsibilities of the office.
The Vice President shall:
- act for the President in his or her absence and shall assume the role for the remainder of the election year if the President is unable to discharge the duties of the office or resigns from office.
- manage the relationship between the association and the current student body to ensure future growth in Association membership and carryout the mission of the Association
The Secretary/Treasurer shall:
- ensure the minutes of all Board meetings are recorded, approved, and distributed to the membership. Electronic distribution to all members who provide a current electronic mail address shall meet the requirement of this section.
- be responsible for maintaining an accurate accounting of all Association finances, to include providing an annual financial report to the Board for review and approval.
Article V. Elections
a. Elections shall occur annually at the Annual Election Meeting (see also Article VI. a.) in or about May of each year. New officers shall take office on or about June 1 for a term ending on or about May 31 of the following year.
- Initial elections shall take place concurrently with adoption of these bylaws at the Association's initial General Meeting in or about February 2008. Initial officers shall serve until the 2009 Annual Elections.
b. A quorum for purposes of officer elections shall consist of the number of General Members present at the annual election meeting.
c. If a vacancy of any office other than President occurs for any reason, the Board shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the next regular election. A special election may be called if deemed necessary by a vote of a majority of the entire Board for the purpose of filling vacancies on the Board, or any other purpose.
Article VI. Membership Meetings & Board Meetings
a. There shall be at least one formal membership meeting of the Association each year for the purpose of holding annual elections and any other business deemed necessary. This meeting shall take place in the spring, generally in May and will serve as the Annual Election Meeting. The Board shall provide notice of the annual election meeting at least fifteen days in advance of the meeting.
b. The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly, or as often as the Board deems necessary. Meetings shall be conducted at a time and place chosen by the Board. A quorum shall be the attendance of a majority of the Board to include either the President or the Vice President. Members may participate remotely via appropriate technology and shall be counted toward meeting the required quorum when participating in this manner.
Article VII. Communications
a. The Secretary/Treasurer shall ensure that the minutes of all meetings of the Board are published and distributed to the membership via electronic mail. If a member does not consent to receive minutes via electronic mail, that member may make alternate arrangements to review the minutes subject to approval by the Board.
b. The Vice President shall maintain a roster of all current members of the association. Additionally, an updated roster of all IWP alumni shall be maintained by the Vice President and President for purposes consistent with the associations mission, membership growth, and alumni communications. This list shall be maintained with due respect to individual privacy and shall not be used for any purpose without express permission of the Board.
Article VIII. Dues
a. Membership dues for both categories of membership may be set by the Board and approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Every effort shall be made to determine and communicate dues for the upcoming year to the membership in advance of the Annual Election Meeting.
b. The Board, by majority vote, may extend a special reduction or exemption from dues for any category of IWP student or alumni in an effort to promote the mission and success of the association.
c. All IWP M.A. and certificate graduates shall be offered the opportunity to join the Association with a one year exemption from dues, provided they accept the invitation to join within six months of the date of their graduation from IWP. For students who complete their degree outside of the normal calendar cycle, graduation shall be considered to be participation, or being invited to participate, in the school's annual commencement ceremony.
Article IX. Amendments to the By-laws
a. The by-laws of the Association shall be initially adopted by a majority vote of the IWP alumni present at the Spring 2008 Membership Meeting. This meeting shall be designated as such by the President Pro-Tempore of the Association and notice shall be given to all current IWP alumni at least ten days in advance of this meeting. This meeting shall also serve to create the initial Board of Directors and slate of officers which will be presented to the membership at this meeting.
b. These by-laws may be amended by a vote of a majority of the General Membership present at any formal Membership Meeting provided that a copy of the proposed amendments and notice of the purpose of the Membership Meeting has been distributed to all current members of the Association at least fourteen days prior to the meeting. The Board of Directors may propose amendments, as well as receive and review
proposed amendments submitted by any General Member.
Article X. Procedure
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.
Article XI. Adoption
These bylaws are hereby adopted by vote of the inaugural membership of the Institute of World Politics Alumni Association.
For the membership, President Pro-Tempore of the Association.
a. The organization shall consist of two categories of membership: General Membership and Associate Membership. The two categories shall be equal in all respects except voting and service on the Association's Board.
b. Any person who has received a Master of Arts degree or a Certificate of Graduate Studies from the Institute of World Politics shall be eligible for General Membership. Only General Members may vote in elections or serve as an officer of the Association, except as discussed in section c. below.
c. Any parent of an IWP student, any person who has successfully completed an academic course at IWP, or any person who supports the school and the Association's mission may become an Associate Member of the Association. No more than one Associate Member may serve on the Board of the Association at any time, and only then by the unanimous consent of the Board.
This exception is envisioned to permit the service of an ex-officio member of the Association's Board who may be drawn from the faculty or distinguished students of the school who have not completed the M.A. degree or certificate. An ex-officio member of the board shall serve in addition to the officers specified in Article IV below.
Article IV. Governance
a. The Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of at least four and no more than eight elected members and officers, plus the immediate past-president or president pro-tempore of the Association who shall serve on the Board for one year immediately following his or her term as president. All elected officers, at-large board members, and the immediate past-president shall comprise the Board of Directors of the Association. All officers except the president may serve on the Board for multiple terms if duly elected. After serving as president and subsequently as past-president on the Board, that individual may run for election to any seat on the Board.
b. The Board shall consist of the following officers who shall be elected by the membership for a term of one year in office: president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, and between one and three at-large members.
c. The Board may designate the following chairs whose duties are listed below from among the at-large members of the Board or the General Membership:
The Programming Chair shall:
- organize and lead social, networking, and related events
The Professional Education Chair shall:
- organize and lead special events such as lectures, seminars, and symposia designed to enhance member's professional knowledge and exposure to relevant topics in Statecraft or National Security Affairs.
The Professional Development/Recruiting Chair shall:
- organize the association's participation in and support to IWP recruiting efforts, student matriculation, and support of the currently enrolled student body.
- organize events, in cooperation with the Programming Chair, to support alumni professional networking opportunities and related activities
d. Each Chair may appoint additional members to assist the Chair in the planning and conduct of activities relevant to the Chair's position. Additionally, the Board may create ad hoc committees led by a Board Member or General Member of the Board's choosing to carry out such projects as the Board may deem necessary.
The Board shall determine nomination procedures and publish those procedures to the membership in advance of the Annual Election Meeting.
e. Duties of Board Members:
The President shall:
- serve as primary liaison between the association and the Institute, shall chair meetings of the Board, and shall exercise the customary duties and responsibilities of the office.
The Vice President shall:
- act for the President in his or her absence and shall assume the role for the remainder of the election year if the President is unable to discharge the duties of the office or resigns from office.
- manage the relationship between the association and the current student body to ensure future growth in Association membership and carryout the mission of the Association
The Secretary/Treasurer shall:
- ensure the minutes of all Board meetings are recorded, approved, and distributed to the membership. Electronic distribution to all members who provide a current electronic mail address shall meet the requirement of this section.
- be responsible for maintaining an accurate accounting of all Association finances, to include providing an annual financial report to the Board for review and approval.
Article V. Elections
a. Elections shall occur annually at the Annual Election Meeting (see also Article VI. a.) in or about May of each year. New officers shall take office on or about June 1 for a term ending on or about May 31 of the following year.
- Initial elections shall take place concurrently with adoption of these bylaws at the Association's initial General Meeting in or about February 2008. Initial officers shall serve until the 2009 Annual Elections.
b. A quorum for purposes of officer elections shall consist of the number of General Members present at the annual election meeting.
c. If a vacancy of any office other than President occurs for any reason, the Board shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the next regular election. A special election may be called if deemed necessary by a vote of a majority of the entire Board for the purpose of filling vacancies on the Board, or any other purpose.
Article VI. Membership Meetings & Board Meetings
a. There shall be at least one formal membership meeting of the Association each year for the purpose of holding annual elections and any other business deemed necessary. This meeting shall take place in the spring, generally in May and will serve as the Annual Election Meeting. The Board shall provide notice of the annual election meeting at least fifteen days in advance of the meeting.
b. The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly, or as often as the Board deems necessary. Meetings shall be conducted at a time and place chosen by the Board. A quorum shall be the attendance of a majority of the Board to include either the President or the Vice President. Members may participate remotely via appropriate technology and shall be counted toward meeting the required quorum when participating in this manner.
Article VII. Communications
a. The Secretary/Treasurer shall ensure that the minutes of all meetings of the Board are published and distributed to the membership via electronic mail. If a member does not consent to receive minutes via electronic mail, that member may make alternate arrangements to review the minutes subject to approval by the Board.
b. The Vice President shall maintain a roster of all current members of the association. Additionally, an updated roster of all IWP alumni shall be maintained by the Vice President and President for purposes consistent with the associations mission, membership growth, and alumni communications. This list shall be maintained with due respect to individual privacy and shall not be used for any purpose without express permission of the Board.
Article VIII. Dues
a. Membership dues for both categories of membership may be set by the Board and approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Every effort shall be made to determine and communicate dues for the upcoming year to the membership in advance of the Annual Election Meeting.
b. The Board, by majority vote, may extend a special reduction or exemption from dues for any category of IWP student or alumni in an effort to promote the mission and success of the association.
c. All IWP M.A. and certificate graduates shall be offered the opportunity to join the Association with a one year exemption from dues, provided they accept the invitation to join within six months of the date of their graduation from IWP. For students who complete their degree outside of the normal calendar cycle, graduation shall be considered to be participation, or being invited to participate, in the school's annual commencement ceremony.
Article IX. Amendments to the By-laws
a. The by-laws of the Association shall be initially adopted by a majority vote of the IWP alumni present at the Spring 2008 Membership Meeting. This meeting shall be designated as such by the President Pro-Tempore of the Association and notice shall be given to all current IWP alumni at least ten days in advance of this meeting. This meeting shall also serve to create the initial Board of Directors and slate of officers which will be presented to the membership at this meeting.
b. These by-laws may be amended by a vote of a majority of the General Membership present at any formal Membership Meeting provided that a copy of the proposed amendments and notice of the purpose of the Membership Meeting has been distributed to all current members of the Association at least fourteen days prior to the meeting. The Board of Directors may propose amendments, as well as receive and review
proposed amendments submitted by any General Member.
Article X. Procedure
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.
Article XI. Adoption
These bylaws are hereby adopted by vote of the inaugural membership of the Institute of World Politics Alumni Association.
For the membership, President Pro-Tempore of the Association.
The Institute of World Politics Alumni Association
Contact Us: iwpalumniboard@iwpalumni.org
